DennisT

Hi:
New to forum. Have not had a pickup for several year...last was a 1961 that I had for 30 years. Time now to look. I just drove a 1994 Silverado 4WD, 3/4 ton, 118K miles (probably verifiable) 5.7 engine (which I translate to a basic 350CU), AC,Tow pkg,CC,PW,PL,AM/FM/Cassette, sprayed bed liner, running boards ABS, Burgendy. Drives nice. At dealer for $9,995. I told them it was too much money.

I know to look for the usual things: verify mileage, history if I can find any, check usual mechanicals.

Anything I should know about this model year? Fuel system looks to me like throttle body FI - true? Any good? I would expect mileage to be 14 to 15mpg. I know 1997 was the, "hot," year for horsepower, then they messed with things later. Am I giving up anything by the model year 1994 except the, "hotter," engine??

I need to tow modest utility trailer, maybe car trailer occasionally, over Cascade mountains as we move to other side of state.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dennis

vofsar

I have a '98 Silverado, Z-71, 4 wheel drive, extended cab 3 door, with the 5.7 and all the amentities such as you mentioned. I love my truck, but I didn't research the 5.7 for towing power. I purchased a 24' travel trailer weighing in at about 6000lbs gross. The truck was so under powered that in my haste to stay up with the 18 wheelers on the Cajon Pass on I-15 near San Bernardino, that I spun the main bearings when the truck down shifted too low. I replaced the engine with a new factory 5.7 and have been very careful when towing up the pass ever since. I have driven the truck over the Tehachapi and had to be very careful. I also came back from Mt. Lassen and through 395 where I had one hell of a time climbing most grades going South. I have white knuckles and an ulcer from having truckers come up behind me on the four lane sections. When I was climbing up to Mt. Lassen, I felt more at ease as the other trucks with travel trailers appeared to be having the same problem with climbing and in some cases I out distanced them (relief!). I also go to the Upper Desert near Victorville for the Rock Climbing Events and found that when I'm off road in deep sand, it pulls the trailer with ease and backing/maneuvering into a camp spot is a snap. The sand is very deep in places, but pop it into 4 low or high and it just does it's thing. The problem is that to get to the desert, no matter which highway I take, I still have to climb a freeway/highway grade and it just doesn't want to do it. I have considered changing the gears, as gas mileage is not a high priority with me, as I drive the truck very seldom and I may do that rather than spend $40,000.00 + for a new truck (maybe when I retire I will, but not now). I guess what you need to consider, is the trailer weight you plan to pull, gearing, and the amount of gear you will take with you. I suggest you look at something else with more power/torque.

Steve

DennisT

Thanks !! That's a timely warning. You might be pulling more than I would, but the message is still the same. I'd buy a late '90's Dodge Cummins if I could afford one, however, a friend just mentioned one that might be available, older, but reasonable. The heaviest trailer I would pull would be a 10-foot box with household stuff and probably two trips with a borrowed twin-axle car trailer, each time with a 2800 pound car on it. Car and trailer might tip 4,000 pounds - don't know. After that it would become a farm, light duty truck.

Dennis